d\u00e0we. Pimisi. Zibi. These are words from the Algonquin language, but they also have something else in common. They are the names of recent public and private development projects in Ottawa. Projects that Dr. Lynn Gehl, an Algonquin Anishinaabe-kwe author, artist and Indigenous rights activist, describes as \u201clittle crumbs\u201d compared to the bigger issue, the rights to their land.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cusjc.ca\/mosaic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Gehl-Looming-300x194.jpg\")
Dr. Lynn Gehl, an Algonquin Anishinaabe-kwe author, artist and Indigenous rights activist.<\/p><\/div>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s patronizing,\u201d Gehl answered when asked about the use of her peoples\u2019 language to name structures and developments. \u201cI think it is embarrassing, humiliating and patronizing, that that\u2019s what they\u2019re offering us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ottawa, along with about 48 million acres of eastern Ontario and southern Quebec, is situated on land that was never ceded by the Algonquin people that first lived here.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese little crumbs that they\u2019re giving us, such as naming streets and bridges and developments, in honour of our name,\u201d said Gehl. \u201cThat\u2019s not what we want, we want our land and resource rights back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ad\u00e0we Crossing<\/h2>\n
The Ad\u00e0we crossing is a pedestrian and cycling bridge located over the Rideau River that connects Sandy Hill and Vanier. The word Ad\u00e0we means \u201cto trade\u201d in the Algonquin language. It was selected by the City of Ottawa after a six-month naming process that asked community groups surrounding the bridge to submit ideas and consulted with the Algonquins of Ontario organization.<\/p>\n
\u201cNaming is an important mechanism to ensure that the Indigenous history in our area lives on,\u201d said Coun. Tobi Nussbaum of Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward who was involved with the naming process. \u201cWe thought it was extremely important to involve the Algonquins of Ontario early on in the process. Make sure they felt heard and listened to.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Algonquin organization represents 10 Algonquin communities in Ontario. However, Gehl points out that \u201cCanada divided the Algonquins by the river, and language, religion and law,\u201d and as such the Algonquin organization only represent Algonquin peoples living in Ontario, not Quebec.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cusjc.ca\/mosaic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Algonquin-Map-300x188.png\")
The Algonquin land claim consists of approximately 9 million acres of land in Ontario and 39 million in Quebec (shown in white). There are 10 communities represented by the Algonquins of Ontario, only one of which is a federally recognized Indigenous community \u2013 the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan. There are 9 federally recognized Algonquin communities in Quebec.<\/p><\/div>\n